Tree and Shrub Care Programs
Tree and Shrub Care Programs
In many communities there are companies that offer tree and
shrub care programs. These programs are the health care plans of
the plant world. They are designed to help you monitor and care
for your plants, as well as treat problems that come up. It is
even possible for you to design your own tree and shrub care
program that can aid you as you take care of the plants
yourself, with minimal help from the care specialist. But one
thing is certain: in order to keep your landscape looking
healthy and attractive, you do need to take an active interest
in some sort of care regimen for your trees and shrubs.
There are many benefits associated with having a care program
for trees and shrubs. Benefits include catching infestations
early and identifying diseases while they are treatable and
before they do too much damage. A caterpillar infestation can
cause defoliation, and if you move quickly to avoid this, your
trees will look much better for longer. Additionally, if plants
have good care, they are more resistant to disease and will
flourish, giving your landscape a more attractive look. A proper
program of care can prevent these problems and save you money on
down the road. The old saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure" is certainly true, especially as it relates to
plants.
Other problems that a tree and shrub care program can help with
are less detrimental to the health of the plants and more
practical in nature. Proper monitoring can unsure that weak
branches are removed before they fall on and damage your house.
Additionally, proper care and pruning of branches ensures
abundant flowering and a thicker, fuller look in evergreens.
While better flowering and fuller plants may not directly affect
the health of the plant or your wallet, they do add
substantially to the attractiveness of a landscape and can
contribute to the better enjoyment of your home.
Most tree and shrub care programs are developed and administered
by specialized companies that provide care. They can also be
arranged through an arborist or a master gardener. These
programs do cost money, however. There are comprehensive
programs that cover all costs related to monitoring your
landscape plants and treating any problems or providing specific
care. There are also programs that provide monitoring services
and then charge treatments separately. The idea is to use a
program that fits into your budget, and then reap the benefits
of a landscape that is well cared for.
Another approach to the tree and shrub care program is
developing and following one yourself. It may cost a little
money up front, as you will have to consult with a master
gardener or an arborist, but in the long run it is worth it if
you take good care of your trees. In some localities, an
extension office may have a horticulturist on hand to answer
your questions at no charge. The key is to figure out a care
program that you can carry out yourself, or that you can carry
out mostly on your own, with back up help from professionals
when needed.
Developing your own plan can be very rewarding. It helps you get
closer to your landscape, and it can also help you spot problems
quickly. You should have a regular schedule for inspection of
trees and shrubs, as well as other plants, and a regular
schedule of care and maintenance. To learn how to properly prune
trees and shrubs, keep an eye out for community classes. You can
even pay for a session with a professional. Paying for a two or
three hour lesson in pruning can save you hundreds of dollars in
having to pay a yard service to do the work. Make sure you know
the best times to prune, and do your pruning on a schedule as
well as the rest of the landscape maintenance.
No matter whether you pay for a professional tree and shrub care
program, or whether you carry out such a regimen yourself, it is
important to have a plan for the proper care of the plants on
your landscape. This way you will find that you have a more
attractive landscape and save money in trying to fix large
problems that arise through neglect.